HARPER REFORMS BECOME LAW

Significant changes to Australia's competition laws commenced on 6 November 2017. The changes implement key recommendations of the Harper Panel's review of Australia's competition law and policy. We have been tracking the Harper Review since it began in 2014 and set out below our analysis of the key events.

Professor Ian Harper's review of competition policy was the most significant review of Australia’s competition laws and policy in more than 20 years.

The Harper Panel published its Final Report on 31 March 2015, making 56 recommendations. The Federal Government responded to the recommendations in September 2016, accepting most of the recommendations. The Misuse of Market Power Bill was introduced to Parliament on 1 December 2016 and passed both Houses on 15 August 2017. The Competition Policy Review Bill was introduced to Parliament on 30 March 2017 and passed both Houses on 18 October 2017. Both Bills came into effect on 6 November 2017.